Wrench



1.0. CFiOMWELL.

WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1920.

1,401,964. P e t Jan- 3, 1922.

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WRENCH.

Specification of Letters Fatent.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

Application filed September 4, 1920. Serial No. 408,200.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAirns O. CRoMwnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in renches; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a pipe wrench which will have sure holding means for all sizes of pipe within its capacity, and which may be quickly adjusted for different sizes of pipe and for a new grip upon the pipe.

Briefly the invention comprises a handle having a curved jaw with teeth provided thereon on arcs of circles of different radii and difierent centers, a movable cooperating jaw, also has teeth set at a curve and carries a spring controlled dog adapted to retain the movable jaw in any set position by engagement of the dog with the handle. In its broadest aspect the invention comprises the use of the spring controlled dog on the movable jaw of any wrench of the movable jaw type.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a pipe wrench equipped with the invention showing the wrench in use with a small pipe.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the wrench used on a large pipe.

Fig. 3 is an end view indicated by arrow 3 of Fig. 2.

In the form of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a handle 10 has one end thereof provided with a curved fixed jaw 12, whose engaging face is provided with teeth 14 arranged in the orm of a curve, comprising arcs of circles of different sizes struck from different centers, the object of this construction is to produce positive and certain engaging means for diflerent sizes of pipes.

The movable jaw 20 is slidably mounted upon the handle 10, the engaging face thereof being curved approximately as shown to hold pipes of different sizes and toothed as indicated at 22. This movable jaw 20 has a narrow tongue 24, provided for a part of its length with teeth 25, which in effect constitute a continuation of the teeth 22. Said tongue 24 lies upon the handle 22 and projects through a slot in the jaw 12, as indicated in Fig. 3, so that said tongue may reciprocate through said slot as the movable jaw is adjusted. The body of the movable jaw is provided with an aperture 26, which extends inward to the handle 10, a dog 30 being pivoted at 28 between the walls of said movable jaw and positioned in said aperture, so that an engaging edge or tooth 32 may engage the edge of the handle lO'When under pressure by a spring 34, whose free end en ages a shoulder 35 of said dog and whose other end is secured at 36 to an extension 38 of said movable jaw 20. A stop pin 39 is mounted on the handle 10 to limit outward movement of the movable jaw.

In using this form of the invention, the movable jaw 20 is adjusted by pressing the thumb upon the dog 30 to release the tooth 32 against the tension of the spring 34 from engagement with the handle 10. The jaw '20 may then be withdrawn as far as required 80 to receive the pipe. It will be noted that said tooth 32 is in the rear of the pivot point 28, so that the jaw 20 may be pushed forward toward the jaw 12 Without releasing the dog 30, but cannot be moved in the op posite direction except when said dog 30 is released. Any pressure upon the jaw 20 to move the same rearward will cause the tooth 32 to bite into the handle 10 and prevent movement. When a small pipe is being 90 handled, it will be engaged by the teeth somewhat as indicated in Fig. 1, the tongue 24 being projected entirely into the slot in the jaw 12. When a large pipe is being used, the tongue 24 is withdrawn as indicated in Fig. 2, so that teeth 25 thereon assist in holding the pipe. By the construction shown, all sizes of pipe within the limits of the wrench are firmly engaged.

I claim:

1. In a wrench, a handle, a fixed jaw having an opening therein and mounted on the handle, and a movable jaw slidable upon said handle, said jaws being curved on their engaging faces and having teeth on said faces and a tongue provided upon said movable jaw and projecting through the opening in the fixed jaw, sald tongue having engaging teeth thereon, and a dog pivoted in the movable jaw and spring-pressed to engage said handle to prevent return movement of said movable jaw.

2. A pipe wrench comprising a handle, a stationary jaw rigid therewith, there being an opening through said jaw parallel to said handle, a second jaw slidably connected to said handle and carrying a portion projecting through the opening in said first named jaw, teeth on the cooperating surfaces of said jaws and teethon said projecting portion for engaging with a pipe in cooperation with the jaws whereby a greater number of teeth will engage the pipe.

3. A pipe wrench comprising in combinationa handle, a stationary jaw at one end of said handle, there being an opening through said jaw parallel to said handle, a second jaw slidably connected to said handle,

an elongated portion attached to said slid able member and projecting through the opening in said stationary jaw, the cooperating surfaces of each of said jaws being formed of segments of circles of different radii,said surfaces and the cooperating surface of said elongated portion being provided with teeth for engagement with a member to be turned.

4. In a pipe wrench, a handle, a stationary jaw at one end of said handle, a second jaw slidably connected to said handle, the coopcrating surfaces of each of said jaws being provided with teeth and formed of segments of circles of different radii, the parts having the shortest radii being nearest to the axis of the handle whereby pipes of varying diameters can be firmly grasped and engaged by the maximum number of teeth.

5. In a pipe wrench having a handle, a stationary jaw connected to said handle, there being a hole through said stationary jaw in a direction parallelwith said handle, a aw slidably connected to said handle and means for assisting in forcing said slidable jaw toward said stationary jawwhen the wrench slips comprising an elongated bar-like member secured to the slidable jaw and passing through the opening in said stationary jaw, teeth on said elongated ban for engagement with apipe to be turned.

In testimony whereof I aiiixmy signature.

JAMES o. GROMWELL. 

